Solin,
aka Salona in Italian and Latin, is a suburb town 8 km northeast of
the center of Split and a part of its conurbation.

It
developed on and around the ruins of ancient Salona that was the
capital or Roman province of Dalmatia and the largest Roman
settlement on the eastern coast of the Adriatic sea.

It
was also the birthplace of Emperor Diocletian who after his
abdication retired in his palace in Split, then just a small fishing
village.

Alas, in the 7th century, after the destruction
of Salona by Avar and Slavic tribes began the development of
neighbouring Split.

After its destruction and in spite of
its important role in early Medieval Croatian Kingdom and its
extraordinary position (where the river Jadro meets the sea at the
bay of Kaštela protected by the mountains of Kozjak and Mosor),
Solin has never succeeded in reestablishing its past glory and
importance it had in ancient times.

Further on, in the
20th century, the development of cement and asbestos factories as its
principal industries did little to improve the condition and the
image of town.

But, lately, Solin has started preserving
its natural attractions and resources as well.

The River
Jadro has been carefully preserved and especially its part where the
town's center is located. There, it splits into several flows thus
creating a couple of minuscule islands and waterfalls and upstream of
the biggest one there’s a small lake-like part of the river.

These parts are dotted with many green areas and being
situated closely in the east of the antique Salona are easily
reachable after visiting it.

Also, recently introduced
bird colonies have become very popular among the kids and their
parents. There have been built pavilions and shelters for swans,
ducks and other birds.

Having transport links with other
towns and situated on the road between Split and Trogir, Solin is a
good place for a lovely day-trip.

HIKING

The
river Jadro is an excellent backdrop for hikers, start your route
from its estuary in Solin and follow it along the 4 and a half km
long hiking paths till its spring at the foothill of Mount Mosor.

PILGRIMAGE

Being
the place of the early Christians and its first martyrs as well as
afterward in the Early Middle Ages the place where the Croats adopted
Christianity as their religion, it isn't surprising Solin has become
the oldest Marian sanctuary in Croatia.

The Nativity of
Islands is celebrated every year in its Our Lady of the Island
Sanctuary (Gospa od Otoka).